WBC sanctions Fury-Wilder rematch
TYSON Fury and Deontay Wilder are set to do battle again after the World Boxing Council (WBC) sanctioned a rematch between the pair.
The Manchester-born heavyweight and American champion Wilder fought to a controversial draw in Los Angeles last weekend.
The decision baffled fans and commentators, who were almost all in agreement that former unified champion Fury should have been declared the winner, despite twice crawling off the canvas.
Fury immediately called for a rematch and the WBC, which governs the world title still held by Wilder, said its board had voted unanimously to sanction a rematch after ‘one of the best heavyweight fights in a long time’.
In a statement, they said: “The World Boxing Council conducted a voting through the Board of Governors, which resulted in a unanimous agreement to sanction a direct rematch between WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
“Wilder and Fury gave boxing one of the best fights in the heavyweight division in a long time, which has created tremendous popular demand for the fans to see a rematch.
“The WBC is happy to confirm that a direct rematch has been approved and will create in a ruling which will also consider the mandatory status of the division.”